Winston-Salem, N.C. - The Tornados battled the Rams even throughout the second half, but Brevard was unable to overcome a 13-point halftime deficit in falling on the road Monday night in the Clarence E. Gaines Center to Winston-Salem State University, 77-64.
Josh Roper led all scorers with 21 points as the Tornados (7-6) overcame first half shooting woes to hit 38.5 percent (25-65) of their field goal attempts in the contest. Roper added eight rebounds, six steals and four assists to lead the Tornados. Gaither Hendrix added 18 points, hitting four three-pointers as Brevard falls in their third straight contest.
Shelton Carter led Winston-Salem State (13-3) with a team-high 18 points, while Paul Davis recorded the double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Lamar Monger rounded out the Rams in double figures with 16 points as Winston-Salem State connected on 53.4 percent (31-58) of their field goal attempts in the game.
Josh Jordan and Roper combined for Brevard's first nine points of the contest, but the Rams jumped out to an 18-9 lead with 12:15 remaining in the opening period as Corey Morris drove in for the layup. The first half lead grew to 13 points at 26-13 following a layup by McIntoche Alcius, but the Tornados battled back as Hendrix drove into the lane for a layup and Roper connected on a three-pointer to bring Brevard back within eight at the 6:30 mark.
The Tornados would keep the game within single digits the remainder of the first half, until a late surge by the Rams following a layup by Schauss, put the WSSU up 13 as the teams broke for halftime, with the hosts holding the 37-24 advantage.
Brevard was led at the half by Roper as the senior guard scored a game-high 10 points, but the Tornados were unable to find the range outside the arc, connecting on one of 13 three-pointers, hitting 7.1 percent from three-point land.
Roper opened the second half with a layup at the 18:59 mark as the Tornados began their comeback. With Winston-Salem State up 46-36 following a three-pointer by Dominic Alston, Hendrix went on an 11-2 run against the Rams, hitting a pair of free throws and three three-pointer, the last two on back-to-back possessions as Brevard cut the lead all the way back to 48-47 with 10:18 to go in the contest.
Coming out of a timeout after the final Hendrix three, the Rams went on a scoring run of their own, getting points on seven of their next eight offensive possessions, outscoring the Tornados 17-2 over a four minute span to go up 65-49 with 6:32 to play.
Hendrix ended the drought with his fourth three-pointer of the contest, as the Tornados geared up for one last comeback attempt against the Rams, bringing the score back to within nine points on a layup by Roper at the 4:03 mark and a eight points as Schauss hit a three-pointer with 3:24 remaining, but WSSU closed out the win in the Clarence E. Gaines Center, 77-64.
The Tornados return home on Wednesday, January 26th, as they continue South Atlantic Conference play on the season by hosting the Newberry Wolves. Tipoff in Boshamer Gymnasium is set for 8 p.m.
